Program Details

Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems

Offered By: College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

Apply Today!

Total Program Credits & Course Length:

Total Program Credits: 36

Online: 8 weeks [ More Info ]

Transfer Credits:

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the program

Program Tuition Rate:

Online: $500 per credit. [ More Info ]

As part of our commitment to keeping tuition rates competitive, GCU has kept campus tuition costs frozen since 2009. While the cost per credits are listed below, the average campus student pays only $8,600 per year* in tuition after institutional scholarships and grants. Speak with your university counselor for more information about estimating the costs of attending GCU.

Tuition	Credits	2018-19
Traditional Undergraduate	1-11	$687.50 per credit
Traditional Undergraduate	12-18 (block tuition)	$8,250 per semester
Traditional Undergraduate	19+ (semester rate +)	$8,250 + $687.50 per credit above 18 credits
Summer Traditional Undergraduate (Except pre-licensure nursing cohorts)*		$310 per credit

*Tuition rates for all courses beginning July 1, 2018

*No in-state/out-of-state rates

*Traditional campus undergraduate students taking courses in the online format will be charged the regular tuition rates.

*Traditional campus undergraduate students are required to take a minimum of nine (9) credits in the traditional campus format.

It is the policy of GCU to collect and remit sales, use, excise and/or gross receipts taxes in compliance with state and local taxing jurisdiction regulations, which require the university to remit tax where applicable. Regulations vary by student location. Payment of tax is ultimately the student's financial responsibility to the university regardless of financing arrangements. Per Hawaii requirements: It is hereby stated that students residing in the State of Hawaii will be charged Hawaii General Excise Tax on all transactions. Students living in the District of Oahu will be charged 4.712 percent. Students residing in other Hawaii districts will be charged 4.1666 percent.

*Fees subject to change.

GCU's non-traditional tuition rates are for students who are interested in pursuing an online degree program or taking evening classes. Speak with your university counselor to learn more about your opportunities for scholarships off tuition through GCU's educational alliances or to find out about options for continuing education for teachers.

Undergraduate Tuition	2018-19
Education Programs	$440 per credit
Theology Programs	$395 per credit
Applied Business Analytics / Applied Business Information Systems/ Business Information Systems/ Computer Programming / Information Technology Programs	$449 per credit
Business Administration with an Emphasis in Business Intelligence	$470 per credit
Online and Professional Studies (all programs other than those listed above)	$470 per credit
Active Duty and Active Reserve (online and professional studies)	$250 per credit

Graduate Tuition	2018-19
Education Programs	$530 per credit
Master of Divinity	$340 per credit
IT Programs	$505 per credit
Business Programs (Excludes Business Analytics / Information Systems and Technology Management)	$575 per credit
Nursing Programs	$500 per credit
Advanced Practice Nursing Programs	$670 per credit
Business Analytics / Information Systems and Technology Management Programs	$505 per credit
Online and Professional Studies (all programs other than those listed above)	$515 per credit
Active Duty and Active Reserve (online and professional studies)	$400 per credit
Doctoral Programs (includes DIS-966 through DIS-970)	$650 per credit
Doctoral Programs – Active Duty and Active Reserve (online and professional studies)	$617.50 per credit

Continuing Education (CTE) Tuition	2018-19
Online	$150 per credit

*Fees subject to change.

2018-19

Residence Hall Rates Students are required to carry at least a Canyon $1,350 meal plan.
Prescott / Camelback / Sedona / Chaparral / Saguaro / Ocotillo	Triple Occupancy	$3,550 per academic year
The Grove: Acacia / Ironwood / Juniper / Willow	Triple Occupancy	$3,550 per academic year
Cypress	Double Occupancy	$4,400 per academic year
Prescott / Camelback / Sedona / Chaparral / Saguaro / Ocotillo	Double Occupancy	$5,000 per academic year
The Grove: Acacia / Ironwood / Juniper / Willow	Double Occupancy	$5,000 per academic year

Apartment Rates Students are required to carry at least a Canyon $750 meal plan.
North Rim	Double Occupancy	$5,500 per academic year
North Rim	Single Occupancy	$6,000 per academic year
Papago Studio (two bedrooms, one bathroom, no kitchen or living room)	Single Occupancy	$5,500 per academic year
Papago / Agave / Roadrunner / Diamondback / Encanto (four bedrooms, two bathrooms, with kitchen and living room)	Single Occupancy	$6,100 per academic year

Summer Room Rates
Active student (actively enrolled in at least one course)		$1,200
Working student (on-campus job, but not taking courses)		$1,600

All residents (including all on-campus and remote housing residents) commit to housing reservations as an academic year-long lease (both fall and spring semesters) and are charged for housing by the academic year (both fall and spring semesters).
All housing charges, including room and board, are billed to the student's account.
For payment methods and deadlines contact your university counselor or student services counselor.
All rates include parking (summer only), rent, water, electricity, basic cable and Internet. Rates above DO NOT include tax.

Meal Plans Meal plans for 2017-18 are Dining Dollars only and do not include meal swipes.
Plans	Details	Price
Canyon $750 Dining Dollars	Exclusive to apartment residents or commuter students.	$1,500 per academic year
Canyon $1,350 Dining Dollars	Minimum requirement for residence hall residents.	$2,700 per academic year
Canyon $1,800 Dining Dollars		$3,500 per academic year
Canyon $2,100 Dining Dollars		$4,000 per academic year
Canyon $2,700 Dining Dollars		$5,100 per academic year

*Fees subject to change.

2018-19

Residence Hall Rates Students are required to carry at least a Canyon $1,350 meal plan.
Prescott / Camelback / Sedona / Chaparral / Saguaro / Ocotillo	Triple Occupancy	$3,550 per academic year
The Grove: Acacia / Ironwood / Juniper / Willow	Triple Occupancy	$3,550 per academic year
Canyon	Double Occupancy	$4,400 per academic year
Prescott / Camelback / Sedona / Chaparral / Saguaro / Ocotillo	Double Occupancy	$5,000 per academic year
The Grove: Acacia / Ironwood / Juniper / Willow	Double Occupancy	$5,000 per academic year

Apartment Rates Students are required to carry at least a Canyon $750 meal plan.
North Rim	Double Occupancy	$5,500 per academic year
North Rim	Single Occupancy	$6,000 per academic year
Papago Studio (two bedrooms, one bathroom, no kitchen or living room)	Single Occupancy	$5,500 per academic year
Papago / Agave / Roadrunner / Diamondback / Encanto / Jerome / Cactus (four bedrooms, two bathrooms, with kitchen and living room)	Single Occupancy	$6,100 per academic year

Summer Room Rates
Active student (actively enrolled in at least one course)		$1,200
Working student (on-campus job, but not taking courses)		$1,600

All residents (including all on-campus and remote housing residents) commit to housing reservations as an academic year-long lease (both fall and spring semesters) and are charged for housing by the academic year (both fall and spring semesters).
All housing charges, including room and board, are billed to the student's account.
For payment methods and deadlines contact your university counselor or student services counselor.
All rates include parking (summer only), rent, water, electricity, basic cable and Internet. Rates above DO NOT include tax.

Meal Plans Meal plans for 2018-19 are Dining Dollars only and do not include meal swipes.
Plans	Details	Price
Canyon $250 Dining Dollars	Exclusive to commuter students.	$500 per academic year
Canyon $750 Dining Dollars	Exclusive to apartment residents or commuter students.	$1,500 per academic year
Canyon $1,350 Dining Dollars	Minimum requirement for residence hall residents.	$2,700 per academic year
Canyon $1,800 Dining Dollars		$3,500 per academic year
Canyon $2,100 Dining Dollars		$4,000 per academic year
Canyon $2,700 Dining Dollars		$5,100 per academic year

*Fees subject to change.

Traditional On-Campus Fees

2018-19

Fees indicated are effective for all students enrolling for 2018-19 academic year. Please contact your university counselor with any questions.

Canyon Connect	Undergraduate courses	$95 per class
Registration Deposit	Non-refundable	$50
Student Activity Fee	Traditional undergraduate and graduate campus students (except those in the nursing pre-licensure program)	$275 per semester (excluding summer)
Colter Surface Parking (2018-19)	Green Lot - For campus residents only. Secure parking for student vehicles near or adjacent to campus. Limited spaces are available.	$50
Grove Garage Resident Parking (2018-19)	Red Lot - For Grove residents only. Covered parking for student vehicles near Willow, Acacia, Juniper and Ironwood residence halls.	$150 per academic year
29th Avenue Parking Garage (2018-19)	Black Lot - For campus residents only. Covered parking on the perimeter of campus on floors 2, 3, 4 and 5.	$150 per academic year
Halo Parking Garage (2018-19)	Purple Lot - For commuter students only. Covered parking on the perimeter of campus on floors 2, 3, 4 and 5.	$150 per academic year
Lot D – Formerly Missouri Avenue Surface Parking (2018-19)	Orange Lot - For commuter students only. Secure parking for student vehicles near or adjacent to campus.	$20 per academic year
Housing Application Fee	Traditional undergraduate campus students and non-refundable	$250
Housing Prepayment	Returning residents only and non-refundable	$200
Returned Check Fee	All returned checks	$25
Health Insurance		$2,439 per academic year
Transcript Fee		$5
Graduation Fee		$150
Health Fee		$70 per semester
Health Center Visit Fee		$25
Schedule Change Fee		$25
Late Payment Fee		$25
Global Studies Portfolio Fee		$90
Hospitality Management Premium		$100 per semester
Tennis Management Premium		$250 per semester
Golf Management Premium		$500 per semester
Computer Science, Computer Programming, Engineering and Information Technology Program Premium 2018-19		$800 per semester
Nursing Program Premium 2018-19 (effective summer 2018)	Pre-Licensure program	$1,000 per semester
Worship Arts Premium	Includes minors	$250 per semester
Special Course Fees		Refer to the University Policy Handbook

*Fees subject to change.

Non-Traditional Online and Evening Fees

2018-19

Fees indicated are effective for all students enrolling starting on July 1, 2018, unless otherwise specified.

Canyon Connect	Undergraduate courses	$95
Canyon Connect	Graduate courses	$105
Canyon Connect	Doctoral courses	$115
RN to BSN Program Course Material Fee	5-week courses with an NRS- prefix and HLT-362V	$120 per course
Course Material Fee	NUR-634	Refer to the University Policy Handbook
Learning Management Service Fee	New online and professional studies students	$400
Doctoral Residencies	Including MDiv	$795-$1,195 per Residency
Doctoral Programs	Dissertation continuation - optional zero-credit course	$500
Accordance Bible Software	New MDiv students only	$285
Credential Evaluation (International)	Basic evaluation	$175
Credential Evaluation (International)	Course-by-course evaluation	$250
Returned Check Fee	All returned checks	$25
Transcript Fee		$5
Graduation Fee		$150
Special Course Fees		Refer to the University Policy Handbook

*Fees subject to change.

Overview

Lead the Nursing Industry

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with an Emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems prepares nurses for leadership roles in today's rapidly changing healthcare delivery systems. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions offers this program for BSN-prepared registered nurses who want to advance their career and move into a management role. Coursework is conveniently offered online and in evening teaching formats.

The masters in nursing leadership consists of graduate nursing core courses. You gain the knowledge, values and skills needed for advanced generalist practice in an evolving healthcare system. The program focuses on the critical analysis of nursing and healthcare research as well as ethics, management, policy and finance in healthcare.

This masters in nursing leadership program includes both a practicum and a capstone class. The practicum promotes the application of knowledge and skills learned in earlier courses in the curriculum. The MSN leadership program concludes with an evidence-based capstone project that addresses a challenge in professional practice. You identify the issue, research it, develop a plan to improve the issue and implement the solution. The issue or gap should be relevant to nursing leadership.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice at GCU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Select states may have additional requirements to meet their standards; reference your enrollment agreement or contact GCU for more information.

Degree Outcomes

Advance Your Skills as a Nurse Leader

The masters in nursing leadership develops bachelor’s-prepared nurses to effectively lead people and manage resources to achieve organizational goals. You have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare environment; the communication and interpersonal skills necessary to maintain ethical and professional standards; and business skills to manage healthcare quality and reducing cost.

The leadership portion of the MSN degree program provides an overview of leadership styles, how organizations function and emphasizing the communication skills required to establish and maintain effective relationships. Leadership topics include servant leadership and business leadership models and theories.

What You Will Learn

Focus on Nursing Management

Among the topics you examine are:

Critical analysis of research related to healthcare and nursing, and how it applies to education, practice and delivery of care
Business and leadership models examined from a variety of viewpoints, with special attention paid to improving leadership in healthcare organizations
Supervised practicum to apply knowledge from coursework into real-life nursing settings
The behavioral forces that influence organizational effectiveness and change

Career Outcomes

Prepare to Direct Nursing Services

Graduates of the masters in nursing leadership program may seek positions such as a charge nurse, director of nursing, chief nursing officer or a vice president of nursing services. With a focus on nursing leadership in healthcare systems, this program prepares you to lead and manage a team of healthcare providers, specifically including areas of managing a budget, staffing challenges and constraints, conflict resolution and change management.

Program Domains

Course List

The programs offered at Grand Canyon University may vary by content and course length. You are currently viewing the program version available in Arizona. For information about specific course content, credit length and VA approval in your state, please contact a counselor at 1-855-GCU-LOPE or click here to request more information.

Major:

36 credits

Total Degree Requirements:

36 credits

Program Core Courses

NUR-502: Theoretical Foundations for Nursing Roles And Practice Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course examines nursing as a profession and a discipline and the individual nurse's role as a member of the profession. The theoretical foundations for nursing practice and roles are explored and applied. Emphasis is placed on developing scholarly writing and presentation skills. Critical thinking skills are refined as students discuss and synthesize the literature that guides nursing practice with a special emphasis on caring, diversity, and spirituality.

NUR-504: Health Care Research Analysis and Utilization Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the critical analysis of nursing and health care research and its application to nursing education, nursing practice, and the delivery of health care services. Emphasis is placed on strategies to access current and relevant data, synthesize the information, and translate new knowledge to practice. Ethical issues in the design and conduct of research are addressed. Prerequisite: NUR-502.

NUR-508: Ethics, Policy, and Finance in the Health Care System Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course utilizes health care policy as a framework to analyze how health is defined and health care is designed and delivered in the United States and around the world. Emphasis is placed on issues of cost, quality, access, disparities, and finance. The various roles of the master's prepared nurse in the health care system are explored. Prerequisite: NUR-504.

LDR-600: Leadership Styles and Development Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course explores the nature of business leadership models and theories, examines these models through a broad variety of insights and viewpoints, and provides a description and analysis of these approaches to leadership, giving special attention to how the models can improve leadership in real-world organizations.

LDR-615: Organizational Development and Change Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course is an exploration of the behavioral forces and relationships that influence organizational effectiveness and change. Topics include the study of intervention strategy and application skills.

LDR-620: Leading as a General Manager Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course is designed to prepare leaders for the cross-functional complexities inherent in organizational life. Students develop an advanced skill set enabling effective leadership in each of the major organizational functions (marketing, finance, human resource management, information systems, and operations management). The course explores methods of evaluating alternatives to make effective decisions.

LDR-630: Servant Leadership Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course focuses on servant leadership, how a servant leader is different from other leaders, and how focusing on the needs of others can create interdependency rather than dependency in organizations.

NUR-670: Leadership Health Care Organizations Practicum Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course promotes the synthesis and application of knowledge and skills from the nursing core course and the leadership courses. Students identify a mentor and develop a relationship through which they examine the connection between theory and practice. Students engage in leadership activities (e.g., committees, projects, staff education, and quality improvement) and, through reflection and writing, analyze and evaluate leadership behaviors and processes. Practicum/field experience hours: 150. Prerequisites: LDR-600, LDR-615, and LDR-620.

NUR-699: Evidence-Based Practice Project Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course provides an opportunity for students to develop an evidence-based practice project proposal that addresses a problem, issue, or concern in professional practice. Students identify a problem amenable to research-based intervention; search literature; propose a solution; and develop a plan to implement the solution, evaluate its outcome(s), and disseminate the findings. Problems identified are those that are appropriate to students' specialty tracks: nursing leadership, nursing education, nursing public health, adult clinical nurse specialist, acute care nurse practitioner, and family nurse practitioner. Prerequisite: NUR-508.

Program Locations

Online

Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere. GCU offers the most experienced leadership in delivering online degree programs. Full-time faculty members and fully trained adjunct instructors, equipped with strong academic backgrounds and practical experience in their fields, support you every step of the way. Designed with the career-oriented professional in mind, our online classes provide an intimate environment that stimulates engaging and challenging discussions. Choose from programs across our distinct colleges, in high-demand employment areas. Classes begin frequently.

Evening

Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom. Night classes are designed for a specific number of students, providing a warm and nurturing environment that supports an engaging experience. In an evening cohort, you will progress through your degree program with the same career-minded classmates, providing an opportunity to network and forge relationships that go beyond the classroom. Classes begin frequently at various locations, including our main campus.

* Please note that this list may contain programs that are not presently offered as program availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability of the program.

* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.

Research
- Identify a problem, issue, or concern in a professional work setting that is amenable to a research-based solution.
- Utilize information systems to access relevant data, clinical guidelines, and established best practices for the improvement of patient care.
- Evaluate qualitative and quantitative research findings.
- Synthesize new knowledge in order to inform nursing practice.
- Communicate the utilization of evidence-based practice for the optimization of patient care outcomes.
Policy, Organization, and Financing of Health Care
- Integrate state, national, and World Health Organization (WHO) goals into the delivery of equitable health care.
- Develop a comprehensive knowledge of how health policy is formulated, financed, and implemented.
- Analyze the role of government and the private sector in providing health care.
- Communicate to policymakers, health care providers, and consumers the role of the nursing profession in the provision of health care.
- Demonstrate personal accountability in making cost-effective choices in the use of health care resources while providing quality care.
Ethics and Professional Role Development
- Identify and analyze common ethical dilemmas and the ways that these dilemmas impact professional practice.
- Integrate resources to resolve ethical dilemmas.
- Incorporate professional and regulatory standards in practice.
- Actively participate in the ongoing development of self and the nursing profession.
- Demonstrate advocacy for the nursing profession.
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
- Identify and analyze theoretical concepts.
- Critique and evaluate theories from nursing and related disciplines.
- Integrate concepts and relevant theories into specialized nursing practice.
Human Diversity and Social Issues
- Utilize epidemiological principles to collect and analyze data.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the effects that social, cultural, and economic issues have on accessibility and delivery of health care.
- Recognize how social inequalities impact individual and group care disparities.
- Incorporate determinants of health (i.e., age, gender, ethnicity, and race) in the provision of culturally sensitive individualized care to individuals and communities.
- Examine human diversity and social issues within the context of a Christian heritage.
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Utilize epidemiological, social, and environmental data to draw inferences regarding the health status of client populations.
- Develop and monitor comprehensive, holistic plans of care that address health promotion and disease prevention.
- Incorporate teaching and counseling strategies to promote and preserve health and healthy lifestyles in client populations.
- Collaborate with others to empower clients in achieving optimal health.
- Participate in regulatory, legislative, and political processes to promote and preserve healthy communities.
Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Systems
- Effectively communicate and develop interpersonal relationships.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the health care environment.
- Exercise skills for leading self and others.
- Exhibit professionalism (advocacy, accountability, ethics, and membership) in the profession.
- Incorporate business skills and principles in managing the quality and cost of health care.

* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.

1-855-GCU-LOPE

Print Page

Apply For Admission

Submitting Request

Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems

Traditional On-Campus Tuition

Non-Traditional Tuition (Online and Evening Students)

Housing and Meal Costs

2018-19

2018-19

Other Fees

Traditional On-Campus Fees

2018-19

Non-Traditional Online and Evening Fees

2018-19

Overview

Lead the Nursing Industry

Degree Outcomes

Advance Your Skills as a Nurse Leader

What You Will Learn

Focus on Nursing Management

Career Outcomes

Prepare to Direct Nursing Services

Course List

Program Core Courses

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Program Locations

Online

Evening

Program Domains